Retractable Enclosure

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a retractable enclosure that includes a sequence of upright arches, such that the arches are substantially parallel and such that the two ends of each upright arch are disposed on a base. The arches are configured to leave a gap between adjacent arches. The retractable enclosure also includes a plurality of extendable covers attached to the arches such that at least one extendable cover is disposed between adjacent arches and such that each extendable cover can assume an extended state and a retracted state. The gap between adjacent arches can be mostly closed when the at least one extendible cover therebetween is in its extended state.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to structures for enclosing spaces and morespecifically to retractable enclosures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Enclosures for playing fields, entertainment spectacles and otherpurposes allow events to occur in inclement weather. For example,enclosing a tennis court permits play during rain or cold temperatures.On the other hand, when weather is not inclement, people often prefer toplay in the outdoors. Thus, there is a need for structures that canenclose a playing field or court during inclement weather and that canbe opened up during pleasant weather.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the need for a structure that can enclose a field or courtduring inclement weather and that can be opened up during pleasantweather there is described herein a retractable enclosure that includesa sequence of upright, substantially parallel arches. The two ends ofeach upright arch are disposed on a base and the arches are configuredto leave a gap between adjacent arches. The base may be disposed so thatat least a portion is above ground level.

The retractable enclosure further includes a plurality of extendablecovers attached to the arches such that at least one extendable cover isdisposed between adjacent arches and such that each extendable cover canassume an extended state and a retracted state. The gap between adjacentarches can be mostly closed when the at least one extendible covertherebetween is in its extended state.

In a preferred embodiment each extendible cover is a rolling cover thatis wound about an axis to assume the retracted state and unwound aboutthe axis to assume the extended state. In one embodiment, two rollingcovers are provided between each pair of adjacent arches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective drawing of a retractable enclosure, accordingto the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows a single arch of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C shows a pair of adjacent arches, and one rolling covertherebetween of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D shows a rolling cover of FIG. 1A in its extended state;

FIG. 1E shows the retractable enclosure of FIG. 1A with all the rollingcovers in their extended states;

FIG. 2A shows one arch like that employed in FIGS. 1A-1E;

FIG. 2B shows a cross section of the arch of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows arches and a rolling cover, according to the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2D shows a cross sectional view of a portion of the structure shownin FIG. 2C;

FIG. 3A shows another embodiment of a retractable enclosure with therolling covers all in their retracted states, according to theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows the retractable enclosure of FIG. 3A with the rollingcovers all in their extended states;

FIG. 4A shows a retractable enclosure with a solar panel flush withrolling cover, according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows the retractable enclosure of FIG. 4A with solar panel in adifferent orientation;

FIG. 5 shows a retractable enclosure having blowers, according to theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a retractable enclosure having water nozzles, according tothe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a retractable enclosure having waternozzles, according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a retractable enclosure containingposts therein, according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view of a tube containing therein postsof FIG. 8;

FIG. 9B shows two tennis courts and tubes similar to the tube shown inFIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 shows a net or mesh system, according to the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11A shows a foundation of a house surrounded by a retractableenclosure, in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11B shows a base with scaffolding, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A retractable enclosure 10 is shown in FIGS. 1A-E, according to theprinciples of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, theretractable enclosure 10 includes a sequence 12 of upright arches 14.FIG. 1B shows a single arch 14 of FIG. 1A. Each arch 14 has two ends 16,18, such that the arches are substantially parallel and such that thetwo ends 16, 18 of each upright arch are disposed on a base 20. A gap 22between adjacent arches is present. A beam parallel to each axis canconnect the tops of the sequence of arches.

The arches 14 include a pair of C-shaped guide channels 23, except forthe first and last arch of the sequence 12, which include just oneC-shaped guide channel each. The arches can be manufactured fromaluminum using extrusion methods.

The retractable enclosure 10 also includes a plurality of extendiblecovers 24 attached to the arches 14. In a preferred embodiment, theextendible covers are rolling covers, as described below. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-E, there is exactly one rolling cover 24disposed between adjacent arches. FIG. 1C shows a pair of adjacentarches 14A and 14B, and one rolling cover 24A therebetween. Moregenerally, there may be more than one rolling cover between adjacentarches; below an embodiment having exactly two rolling arches betweenadjacent arches is discussed.

Each rolling cover 24 can assume an extended state and a retractedstate. Each rolling cover 24, such as rolling cover 24A, has a cover 26that is wound about an axis 28 to assume the retracted state and unwoundabout the axis 28 to assume the extended state. The rolling covers canbe wound and unwound by a motor 30. FIG. 1C shows the rolling cover 24Ain the retracted state. FIG. 1D shows the rolling cover 24A in itsextended state. The gap 22 between adjacent arches is closed when the atleast one rolling cover therebetween is in its extended state.

In the retracted state, the rolling covers are disposed just above, ator just below ground level. Disposing the retracted rolling cover nearground level makes it accessible for any repairs. Another advantage ofdisposing the retracted rolling covers near the base is that the archesdo not have to bear the load of the wound up covers. Instead, the woundup covers can rest on or in the base or ground.

It should be understood that the rolling cover can assume a statesomewhere between the retracted state and the extended state, as somecovers in FIG. 1A demonstrate.

The edges 31 of the cover 26 slide along the C-shaped guide channels 23on the arches while being wound or unwound. Other C-shaped guidechannels 33 can wind around in a spiral near the base 20. These areshown in an exploded view of FIG. 1B. These C-shaped guide channels 33facilitate the winding of the cover about the axis 28 in such a way thatthe surface of the cover does not come into contact with itself as thecover is wound about the axis 28.

FIG. 1E shows the retractable enclosure 10 with all the rolling covers24 in their extended states.

The sides 33 and 35 of the retractable enclosures can include walls 37,39 with one or more doors 41 to allow access to the enclosure 10. Ifdesired, the wall can be capable of closing and opening electrically,much like an electric garage door. In Figure E, an exploded view of onesuch a wall 39, partly opened, is shown. The walls 37 and 39 can havetransparent windows 43.

Advantageously, the retractable enclosure provides a structure that canbe closed to the elements on an inclement day, and opened when theweather is pleasant. Such a retractable enclosure might be used tosurround athletic fields or courts. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-Eillustrates the use of the retractable enclosure for tennis courts 32.It should be understood, however, that the retractable enclosure couldalso be used for other sports or events.

FIG. 2A shows one arch 40 like that employed in FIGS. 1A-1E. FIG. 2Bshows a cross section A-A of the arch 40. The arch 40 has a pair ofelectromagnet strips 42 and 44 running along the length of the arch fromone end of the arch 46 to the other end 48. The electromagnet strips 42and 44 are disposed on the inner top portion of the C-shaped guidechannels 50 and 52 above the base. Each arch of the retractableenclosure has a pair of such electromagnet strips, except for the firstand last arch in the sequence of arches, which first and last arch eachhave exactly one electromagnet strip. Each electromagnet strip canconduct electricity when a voltage difference is applied thereto, andwhen doing so becomes an electromagnet. The electromagnet strip ceasesto act like a magnet when the voltage is turned off.

In FIG. 2C, arches 40A and 40B and a rolling cover 54 are shown. Therolling cover 54 has a pair of metallic strips 56 (shown also in across-sectional view in FIG. 2D) and 58 running along the edges thereofthat are attracted to magnets. When the rolling cover 54 is being woundor unwound, the voltage is not applied to the electromagnet strips 42and 44. Once the rolling cover 54 has finished unwinding and is in itsextended state, a voltage can be applied to the electromagnetic stripsto cause the metallic strips to adhere thereto via magnetic forcesexerted by the electromagnet strips. In this manner, the rolling coversand the arches form a watertight seal when a voltage is applied to theelectromagnet strips. Conveniently, when the rolling covers need to beextended or retracted, the electromagnet strips can be turned off tofacilitate the extension or retraction of the rolling covers.

It should be understood that the location of the electromagnet strip andthe metallic strip can be interchanged, such that the electromagnetstrip is disposed on the cover and the metallic strip can be disposed onthe arch. Alternatively, electromagnetic strips can be provided on boththe arches and the covers.

FIGS. 3A-B show another embodiment of the retractable enclosure. Aretractable enclosure 100 includes a sequence of upright arches 102. Aplurality of rolling covers 104 are attached to the arches 102 such thattwo rolling covers are disposed between adjacent arches and such thateach rolling cover can assume an extended state and a retracted state.Each rolling cover has a cover that is wound about an axis to assume theretracted state and unwound about the axis to assume the extended state.The gap between adjacent arches can be closed when the at least onerolling cover therebetween is in its extended state. A beam 106 parallelto each axis connects the tops of the sequence of arches. The beamprovides structural support and can be used to support light fixtures,fans, etc.

FIG. 3A shows the retractable enclosure with the rolling covers all intheir retracted states. FIG. 3B shows the retractable enclosure with therolling covers all in their extended states.

An example of a commercially available rolling cover that can be used isthe Spiral® FV High Performance Rigid Rolling Door by Rytec Corporationof Jackson, Wis.

FIGS. 4A-B shows a retractable enclosure 200 with solar panels 202attached thereto. A solar panel 202 can be set in a manner that would beflush (FIG. 4A) with the rolling cover if the rolling cover were in itsextended state, or the solar panel can be rotated into a raised position(FIG. 4B) by the use of a motor 203. In particular, the solar panel canbe made to rotate about an axis 204 from the flush position to theraised position and lowered back to the flush position. Raising andlowering can be effected to maximize exposure of the panel to the sun,or to limit wind loads when windy. As is well known, the solar panel canconvert some of the sun's radiation and convert it into useable storedenergy with the use of solar cells. One or more solar panels can beincluded, as appropriate.

Referring to FIG. 5, a retractable enclosure 230 is shown, similar tothe ones described above. Blowers 232 are disposed on the arches 234.The blowers 232 blow air, which can be warmed air if desired, across thetop surface of the covers 236. In so doing, the air can blow snow ordebris off of the top surface of the covers.

Referring to FIG. 6, a retractable enclosure 250 can be provided havingwater nozzles 252 on inner portions of the arches 254 to water thesurface 256 enclosed by the enclosure 250. For example, where thesurface includes clay tennis courts, the water nozzles 252 can be usedto water the clay courts as is usually required of such courts formaintenance.

Referring to FIG. 7, alternatively, or in addition, a U-shaped member258 can have water nozzles 260. The U-shaped member 258 can includerollers 262 at the bottom thereof to allow the U-shaped member to rollon a track 264. By moving the U-shaped member along the track, watersprayed from the water nozzles 260 can reach various parts of thesurface 256.

Referring to FIG. 8, four posts 280, 282, 284 and 286 can be placed atcorners of an imaginary rectangle. A net or mesh 288 can be wound aroundeach post when the net or mesh is being stored and not in use. The netcan be extended from one post, say post 280, stretched across andfastened to an adjacent post, say post 282. The net can be stretchedfrom post 282 to post 286, from post 286 to post 284 and from post 284to post 280. In this manner, a net can be made to surround a tenniscourt or other playing field to keep a ball within the area enclosed bythe net.

Referring to FIG. 9A, a hollow tube 300 can hold a first net 300A woundaround a first post 301A, and a second net 300B wound around a secondpost 301B. The tube 300 has a first slit 310 to allow the first net 300Ato pass therethrough, and a second slit 312 to allow the second net 300Bto pass therethrough. In other embodiments, the tube can have more thantwo slits. The tube 300 can also hold just one net and post, or no netsor posts, for use as described below.

Referring to FIG. 9B, two tennis courts 320 and 322 are shown, as arealso illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 3A. Six tubes 300, 330, 332, 334, 336and 338, like that shown in FIG. 9A, are disposed at the corners of thetwo areas associated with the two tennis courts where the tennis ballsare to be contained, as shown in FIG. 9B. Tube 300 contains two nets300A, 300B and two posts 301A, 301B to wind the nets thereabout. Tube332 contains two nets 332A, 332B and two posts 333A, 333B to wind thenets thereabout. Tube 336 contains two nets 336A, 336B and two posts337A, 337B to wind the nets thereabout. Tube 338 has one net 338A andone post 339A. And tubes 334 and 330 have no nets.

The net 300A is stretched and fastened to tube 330. The net 300B isstretched and fastened to tube 334. The net 332A is stretched andfastened to tube 330. The net 332B is stretched and fastened to tube334. The net 332B is stretched and fastened to tube 334. The net 336A isstretched and fastened to tube 334. The net 336B is stretched andfastened to tube 338. Finally, the net 338A is stretched and fastened totube 332. In this manner, each of the two tennis courts 320 and 322 areenclosed by a rectangular net enclosure to keep balls from straying.

The nets can be manually pulled and unwound from their posts 304parallel to a side of the tennis court 314. When the nets are no longerneeded, they can be wound back around their respective posts. This couldbe achieved with a small motor that rotates the posts.

Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment of a net or mesh system 360 isshown. The system 360 includes curved members 362 and 364 that havesimilar curvature to the arches of the retractable enclosure. Eachcurved member is connected to vertical uprights 366 and 368. A net ormesh 370 can be stretched therebetween to enclose an end of a tenniscourt 372. A similar net or mesh system 374 can be disposed at the otherend of the tennis court 372. A side mesh 378 can be stretched fromvertical upright 366 to the corresponding upright 376 belonging to theother system 374.

FIGS. 11A-B illustrate a different application of a retractableenclosure consistent with the principles of the present invention. Inparticular, a retractable enclosure 400 is used during the constructionof a house 401. The retractable enclosure 400, similar to the enclosureshown in FIG. 3A, encloses the house 401 during different stages ofconstruction or repair. In FIG. 11A, the foundation 402 of the house issurrounded by the enclosure 400. In FIG. 11B, the base 404 of theenclosure 400 includes scaffolding 406 to raise the height of theenclosure 400 to above the roof level of the house 400. It will beappreciated that for such applications, the retractable cover 408 of theretractable enclosure 400, which in FIGS. 11A-B is shown retracted, neednot be translucent, but instead could be made of a cheaper, opaquematerial, such as an appropriate fabric. Advantageously, the retractableenclosure 400 protects the house 401 and workers during constructionfrom the elements and from vandals. The enclosure 400 also providesprivacy, if this is needed during repairs, for example. At the sametime, by retracting the covers, fresh air can circulate around thehouse, which could be beneficial to the workers or to a particularproject, such as allowing house paint to dry.

The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not meantto limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the followingclaims.

1. A retractable enclosure comprising: a sequence of upright arches,each arch having two ends, such that the arches are substantiallyparallel and such that the two ends of each upright arch are disposed ona base, the arches configured to leave a gap between adjacent arches;and a plurality of extendable covers attached to the arches such that atleast one extendable cover is disposed between adjacent arches and suchthat each extendable cover can assume an extended state and a retractedstate, wherein the gap between adjacent arches can be mostly closed whenthe at least one extendible cover therebetween is in its extended state.2. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, wherein a) each extendiblecover has a cover that is wound about an axis to assume the retractedstate and unwound about the axis to assume the extended state.
 3. Theretractable enclosure of claim 2, wherein each cover is translucent. 4.The retractable enclosure of claim 2, wherein each axis is perpendicularto the arches and substantially horizontal.
 5. The retractable enclosureof claim 2, wherein the first upright arch of the sequence is cappedwith a translucent, substantially vertical wall.
 6. The retractableenclosure of claim 5, wherein the last upright arch of the sequence iscapped with another translucent, substantially vertical wall.
 7. Theretractable enclosure of claim 2, wherein a beam parallel to each axisconnects the tops of the sequence of arches.
 8. The retractableenclosure of claim 2, wherein the base is disposed above ground level.9. The retractable enclosure of claim 4, wherein the at least onerolling cover consists of one rolling cover.
 10. The retractableenclosure of claim 4, wherein the at least one rolling cover consists oftwo rolling covers.
 11. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, whereinone of the two rolling covers is disposed on one side of the sequence ofarches and the other one of the two rolling covers is disposed on theother side of the sequence of arches.
 12. The retractable enclosure ofclaim 2, wherein at least one of a pair of adjacent arches and a covertherebetween has an electromagnet and the other one of the pair ofadjacent arches and the cover therebetween has a strip that is attractedto the electromagnet when the electromagnet is activated and the coveris in the extended state.
 13. The retractable enclosure of claim 2,further comprising at least one solar panel between the arches anddisposed on the external portion of the enclosure to gather solarenergy.
 14. The retractable enclosure of claim 2, wherein the at leastone solar panel is coupled to a motor to change the direction the atleast one solar panel is facing.
 15. The retractable enclosure of claim2, further comprising at least one blower supported by at least one ofthe upright arches, the blower capable of blowing air to remove materialoff the external surface of the enclosure.
 16. The retractable enclosureof claim 2, further comprising at least one water nozzle suspended fromat least one of the upright arches for watering a field or courtenclosed by the retractable enclosure.
 17. The retractable enclosure ofclaim 2, further comprising: a nozzle support member; at least one waternozzle supported from the nozzle support member for watering a field orcourt enclosed by the retractable enclosure; and a track on which thenozzle support member runs to move the at least one water nozzle forreaching various parts of the field or court for watering.
 18. Theretractable enclosure of claim 17, wherein the nozzle support member isU-shaped and has rollers for running on the track.
 19. The retractableenclosure of claim 11, further comprising at least one solar panelbetween the arches and disposed on the external portion of the enclosureto gather solar energy.
 20. The retractable enclosure of claim 19,further comprising at least one blower supported by at least one of theupright arches, the blower capable of blowing air to remove material offthe external surface of the enclosure.